My fish are "flashing"

[gabor129]

Hi guys!

I just want some opinions on my fish "flashing" and what to do about it! I have this tank set up a few months now.

It is a 55 gal tank, with the following livestock:

A pair of breeding angels
A trio of giant sword tails
A trio of Australian Rainbowfish (juvies)
A trio of Batanta Rainbowfish (juvies)
9 bristle nose plecos (7 are juvies)
6 khuli loaches
2 Electric blue rams (juvies)
1 female betta

My parameters are :
PH 7.4
Ammonia 0
Nitrite 0
Nitrate 0
I just bought a new test kit 4 days ago! So the readings are good, tested every day twice, for four days!

About a week and a half ago I noticed some of my fish flashing, however it is increasing in frequency ever since! I know that all my swords are doing it and some of the juvie plecos! Did not see the other fish do it at all! Since the water parameters are ok I think it is a parasite of some sort! It is defenetly not Ick. The three swords have white on their lips which I can not remember if it was there before! It is not like cotton fungus, just "white" "translucent" skin. Also it is only on the lips of the fish! So I am thinking Columnaris, since live bearers and catfish got it! Treating the tank with Melafix did not clear it up, (a 7 day treatment!) Should I try Primafix as well, or my options now are Methylene Blue Bath, or a salt bath.... Also if this is the problem is it very likely that all my fish have it? Or at least all the swords and the plecos? I can not imagine fishing out all the plecos from the tank for treatment!

Anyone had anything similar? I have never had this problem before!

[guppyguy]

I use salt baths for external parasite issues. I much prefer natural methods to medicines. Try that and see how it goes. Salt is always helpful for keeping fish healthy

[fin]

that sure is a nice list of fish you have there gabe. as far as the disease my book tells me treat with chloramphenicol + acriflavin (trypaflavin) , this is deterimental to plants. if you want gabe you are welcome to come and look at my medical book of fish diseases, will not lend out sorry.from what I read that is a pretty nasty disease. all the best of luck.

[fin]

did you have any luck with your fish gabe?

[gabor129]

I was working a lot at the beginning of the week! So I was just adding the melafix! It seems the flashing is slowing down! They still have "white around the lips! Not sure when I have time to treat them! Have to chase 9 plecos in a 55 gal tank! Not looking forward to it!

[gabor129]

Dec 3, 2013 2:49:05 GMT -5 fin said:

that sure is a nice list of fish you have there gabe. as far as the disease my book tells me treat with chloramphenicol + acriflavin (trypaflavin) , this is deterimental to plants. if you want gabe you are welcome to come and look at my medical book of fish diseases, will not lend out sorry.from what I read that is a pretty nasty disease. all the best of luck.

Thanks Steve! Maybe you could you bring the book to the meeting so I can look through it?

[lisachromis]

What is the date on your test kit? Also, have you taken the water in to a petstore to see what their tests tell you? Sometimes old tests can give the wrong readings. I would do lots of water changes. That seems to be best thing when you have issues in your tanks

[gabor129]

The test kits I just got and the expiration date is 2016 on them! I did a few water changes as well! Did a 50% right of way, and 15% every two days since! The flashing seems to improve but the white lip is troubling me!